How Big Is Your Purse?
It was the second time today that I had heard the word on the radio. Curious for such an uncommon word that is not a part of my everyday real-world vernacular. So with my ship safely docked in the launch bay, I rushed into my quarters to verify my understanding of the word before I decompressed and forgot about it. Expecting the usual greeting hug, Roomie came into Comm Central and inquired about my deviation from routine as I plunged headlong into my favorite online dictionary.
Without breaking focus, and given the ease with which the word can be mispronounced, even if paying attention, I quickly asked if she knew the meaning of perspicacity. And mispronounce it I must have, for with no discernable hesitation and with a straight face, she damaged forever the image of English majors by answering “That’s the volume of stuff that my purse will hold.”
That broke my attention long enough for my head to bob around and look at her for a split second before we both broke into uncontrolled laughter. On regaining a bit of composure, I said “NOT ‘pers- cap-acity’, it’s ‘per-spic-acity’. She smugly said “I know.”
After another good laugh, I read her the definition from dictionary.com:
per·spi·cac·i·ty n. Acuteness of perception, discernment, or understanding.
Again, she smugly said “I know.”
Dont you just hate it when they do that!
5 Comments so far
I shy away from this word now. A friend used to call me perspicacious. Then he turned creepy and weird on me, so whenever I hear the word I think of him. (cue cold chills)
But I like the perscapacity word. My purse is kinda small and I don’t have nearly enough perscapacity right now.
Understood, MaryB. Judging from Roomie’s, which is the size of a small steamer trunk, there’s no such thing as a purse too big for most women! I swear, a family of four could pack enough for a week’s vacation with room left over for the family dog…
Thank God for senses of humor and your Roomie has a great one. The “I know” smugly said is one all women know well. Most of us began practicing it when we were very young. I think your Roomie has mastered it and knows exactly how to use it to the best advantage. Poor, poor English major!
Hmmm. There’s a related word called perspicuity.
Look it up.
Never heard the word, one more to add.
If I hadn’t read your post I would have atrributed it to seeing through things which is sort of on the mark. a thought in the back of my head also relates it to persimmon fruits!